July '07 Nevada Government—Shelley Berkley Column

Berkley Safeguards $200,000 in Technology Funding for Andre Agassi Preparatory Academy

Congresswoman Beats Back GOP Attempt to Cut Funds for LV School

CONGRESSWOMAN SHELLEY BERKLEY (D-NV) today [July 19, 2007] successfully defended her request for $200,000 in funding for new technology at the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas. On a voice vote, the House rejected an attempt by California Republican Rep. John Campbell to strip funding for the academy included by Berkley in the 2008 Labor-HHS spending bill. The measure is expected to pass the full House this evening.

"This funding will be used to purchase new technology, including computers and software that will help to educate students at Agassi Prep," said Berkley. "The $200,000 funded through my request will provide new tools to help teach math, science, reading, and language skills and other state-of-the-art technology that will directly benefit the students at Agassi Prep."

Located in one of the Las Vegas Valley's least affluent neighborhoods, the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy currently serves students in grades K through 10, with grades 11 and 12 being added in the next 2 years. Information about the public charter school can be found on its Web site at www.agassiprep.org. In a speech this morning on the House floor, Berkley praised the school and its founder, tennis great and Las Vegas native, Andre Agassi.

"The minority of Republicans in Congress who opposed this $200,000 in funding have no idea about the needs of Agassi Prep, let alone the needs of students here in Las Vegas. The only reason they chose to personally attack Andre Agassi is because he has a famous name. Fortunately, I was able to gather the support needed to block Republican attempts to score political points by targeting Agassi Prep and its highly successful founder," said Berkley.

"Southern Nevada families recognize Andre Agassi as a true hero to our community who has generously supported a Boys and Girls Club and the preparatory academy that bears his name. In fact, through his foundation, he has raised more than $60 million in funding for projects to improve the lives of young people and their families. I applaud all that Andre Agassi has done to help families in Las Vegas and elsewhere," Berkley said.

Berkley Says Nevada Governor Should Not Give the Department of Energy "One Single Drop of Water" for Yucca Mountain

CALLING PLANS TO turn Nevada into the nation's nuclear waste dump one of the gravest threats facing the Silver State, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV) today [July 18, 2007] urged Governor Jim Gibbons to reverse his administration's recent decision to allow the Department of Energy (DOE) continued access to water for work at Yucca Mountain. Without the OK by the Gibbons administration, DOE would have been unable to tap Nevada water supplies for on-going research at the proposed dump site as a result of a ruling by Nevada's water engineer.

"Denying the Department of Energy access to water for work at Yucca Mountain is one of the strongest weapons Nevada has in its fight to prevent our state from becoming a nuclear garbage dump," said Berkley. "I urge Governor Gibbons to reconsider allowing DOE to tap Nevada water resources so work at Yucca Mountain can continue, even if only for a limited time. The Energy Department should not be able to use one single drop of Nevada water to further President Bush's goal of dumping toxic nuclear waste 90 minutes outside Las Vegas."

Berkley pointed to Congressional legislation authored by the Bush administration that would block Nevada's right to deny water for work at Yucca Mountain as proof that proponents of the dump realize that the issue could be the nuke dump's Achilles Heel.

"President Bush is pushing Congress to pass legislation that would override Nevada's control of its own water resources. That is because President Bush realizes that without water, there will be no nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain. Governor Gibbons should continue to deny the Energy Department's attempt to steal one of the most important natural resources we have as a state—our water supplies. We must work in Congress, in Carson City and in our local communities to stop Yucca Mountain and I hope that Governor Gibbons recognizes the wrong signal this decision sends to those who want to see nuclear waste dumped in Nevada."

Under the Bush legislation, dubbed the "Fix Yucca" bill, the State of Nevada would be barred from enacting laws to block DOE's use of water at the proposed dump site. The legislation specifies that once passed, it would give the Department of Energy access to the water it says is needed to run Yucca Mountain. Berkley continues to rally opposition in Congress against the "Fix Yucca" bill.

Berkley Secures $3 Million for Las Vegas Wash Restoration, New So. Nevada Wastewater Reclamation Facility

CONGRESSWOMAN SHELLEY BERKLEY (D-NV) today [July 17, 2007] secured $3 million in federal funding to aid in restoration of the Las Vegas Wash and for a new wastewater reclamation facility in southern Nevada. The funding is part of the 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations package passed this afternoon by the House.

"Restoring the Las Vegas wash is an important part of our on-going local efforts to safeguard the water quality of Lake Mead," said Berkley. "Creating and enhancing wetlands and making other improvements to the wash system will help protect Lake Mead, southern Nevada's most important water resource."

The $3 million in Nevada projects were included in the FY '08 energy and water spending bill at the request of Berkley. Of that total, $2 million in funding will be used to address issues concerning the health of the Las Vegas Wash and water quality at Lake Mead. The remaining $1 million will be used for a new wastewater reclamation facility for North Las Vegas.

"Reclaiming wastewater is one more way we can maximize our water resources and ease the strain on the system that supplies drinking water to homes, schools and businesses. Funding provided in this bill will help pay for the design and constriction of a facility to reclaim up to 25 million gallons per day in wastewater. Recapturing these gallons will provide an alternative to using potable water at our local parks and golf courses and for large industrial uses like laundry facilities or making concrete," said Berkley.

The new wastewater reclamation facility will be built on 40 acres in North Las Vegas, at Losee Road between Craig and Alexander. Funding secured by Berkley will be used for design, land acquisition, and construction of the 25 million gallon per day wastewater reclamation facility. The project aims to eliminate the current need to have wastewater treated at the City of Las Vegas' water pollution control facility and seeks to reduce demands on the City's existing potable water distribution facility.

House Republicans Attack Andre Agassi Prep Academy—Seek to Cut Funding Requested by Berkley

YES, THE REPUBLICAN Study Committee (RSC) is targeting funding for the Agassi Academy in Las Vegas requested by Congresswoman Berkley. Their complaint: Andre Agassi has lots of money, so why should a school bearing his name that helps disadvantaged youth in Las Vegas receive federal funding? (see: www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx05_hensarling_rsc,blog,999, All,Item%20not%20found,ID=070716_0954,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml).

The RSC is planning to try and cut federal funding for the Academy during debate this week on the 2008 Labor-HHS spending bill.

Rep. Berkley will be working to block Republican efforts to eliminate funds for the Agassi Academy when the legislation hits the floor.

Never mind that those making these charges have probably never set foot in Las Vegas, let alone visited the Agassi Academy.

Perhaps the GOP should listen to one of their own. Rep. Porter has repeatedly expressed strong support for the academy's mission.

In 2003, Porter called the academy a "model charter school for the rest of the nation." (Richmond, Las Vegas Sun, 5/3/2003).

In May 2006, Congressman Porter spoke on the floor and singled out the Agassi Academy as a shining example of what charter schools can do for our community.

Here are Rep. Porter's comments and the piece from the RSC blog attacking the funding

WASHINGTON, May 3 2006 -- The House of Representatives today unanimously approved a resolution offered by Third District Rep. Jon Porter that pays tribute to America's charter schools. The resolution, H. Res. 781, was passed in honor of the seventh annual "National Charter Schools Week," which runs from May 1 - May 7.

In his remarks on the House floor while the resolution was being considered, Porter commended the 18 charter schools in Nevada for their commitment to improving education across the state. Porter singled out the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas as a model of excellence.

"Smaller class sizes, extended school hours, and the use of advanced technologies are just some of the ways Agassi Prep has challenged students to reach their full potential," said Porter. "By enhancing student character, motivation and self-discipline, Agassi Prep has helped strengthen our public school system."

HERE IS THE ITEM FROM THE RSC BLOG:

An Earmark for Andre Agassi?

According to our latest count, there appears to be roughly 1338 earmarks included in the Labor-HHS appropriations bill. One of these earmarks, requested by Rep. Berkley, would provide $200,000 to the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, (whose website is inactive), located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Agassi established the tuition-free charter school for local "at-risk" kids in 2001, and last year the House approved a $175,000 earmark for the institution--although it did not become law because Congress did not complete the appropriation's process. In 2004, Forbes Magazine ranked Agassi 27th (right after Will Smith and Julia Roberts) on its list of richest individuals under age 40--at the time, the tennis star was 34 years old and worth $162 million. Although Agassi was known during his playing days for his soft touch and accuracy, this action seems to be a fault—especially for the far less wealthy taxpayers who are being asked to fund it.

*** Reason Magazine has picked up this story, as did NTU, Freedomworks, & Townhall.

Posted by Joelle Cannon (07-16-2007, 09:35 AM) filed under Appropriations